Norwegian Oil Rig Operator Says Platform Leak Under Control

Officials with a Norwegian oil company say emergency workers have stopped a potentially dangerous oil leak at a North Sea platform.

The StatoilHydro oil company says helicopters were used to evacuate more than 150 workers from the company's platform off the Norwegian coast after a leak was discovered early Saturday morning. Officials say a leak of water mixed with oil has also been stopped.

Earlier they said that some oil had to be discharged into the sea to prevent a dangerous build up of gas, which could lead to an explosion. They said the leak occurred during maintenance work on one of the platform's shafts.

The oil rig, Stratfjord A, is located about 200 kilometers off the Norwegian coast. It is one of three operating in the area. Together, they produce about 150,000 barrels of oil a day.

More than 217 people had been working on the platform when the leak started. Some 60 maintenance workers stayed behind to fix the leak.